It’s been ten years, but I still don’t really like explaining the diet to people. I have my shortcuts, like “I have food sensitivities” or “I can’t eat bread or sugar,” but sometimes people just don’t understand. Sometimes people start asking questions, why can’t I eat that, or “what happens if you do.”
I guess it’s hard to explain because it’s not concrete like being allergic to peanuts. Some people say “so your doctor told you not to eat that,” and then for some reason I will try to explain that it was my own decision. Then if there is confusion I will continue to try to explain about Crohn’s and that the diet helps, but doctor’s don’t prescribe it etc. I don’t know why I keep going if someone is clearly not really understanding, but it’s like I want to make people understand.
The most common assumption is that the food will cause some kind of immediate reaction – “so you will get really sick if you eat that?” Of course the answer is maybe, but it’s really the long term effects I’m worried about. I just find it very uncomfortable sometimes to explain why I always turn down the donuts, the birthday cake, the potlucks, the lunches, the holiday parties.
I think what it is sometimes is I will get a skeptical look or reaction. Some people wonder why it has to be so strict. Maybe it’s just the idea of being different. I don’t joke about drinking, or how much I love chocolate or pizza. The other day I heard a co-worker say that he buys everyone alcohol for Christmas presents because “everyone likes to drink right?”
There are some people who do understand and who take an interest in the diet. In those cases I like talking about it. I can say how successful the diet has been, or how much I’ve learned about food. Usually they know someone who has Crohn’s or UC, and has modified their diet. Honestly, most of the time people are really nice about it, but there are those times when it’s hard to explain.
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